Page 52 of The Seascape Between Us

“My god, it’s been forever,” the man said, a wide smile lit his face. His hand landed on Grey’s shoulder, squeezing gently.

I tensed, fighting the urge to leap out of my seat and knock his hand away. I got myself under control… barely.

Grey’s eyes widened briefly, flashing me a look close to panic. “Jack, it’s been a while.”

“Too long,” Jack agreed. “I’ve been meaning to call you.”

Grey eased back, dislodging Jack’s hand from his shoulder. “This is my date, Daniel. Daniel, this is Jack Warner. He’s a real estate agent that works with my company.”

“Nice to meet you,” I said, but I didn’t mean it.

Jack glanced my way, his handsome features pulling into a slightly perplexed expression. “Nice to meet you too.”

He probably didn’t mean it, either. After turning his back to me, he focused on Grey. “I have a place you might be interested in. It’s a three-story walk-up just a few blocks from here. Needs a little work, but mostly aesthetics. It’s a great investment and right up your alley. How about lunch next week, and we can talk about it?”

His hand was back on Grey’s shoulder, and I wanted to rip it away more than ever. I hated this man touching him. I hated the innuendo in his voice. He wanted to do more than have lunchand talk about a building, and he clearly wanted everyone to know it.

The man nibbled on his lip and watched Grey expectantly.

“Things are busy for me right now,” Grey said, once again easing back from the man and out from under his hand. “But I can have Finn call and set up an appointment.”

Jack’s shark-like smile spread wider, and I tensed. I wanted to get between them, force Jack to step back and give Grey some space.

“I was really hoping we could catch up.” Jack glanced back at me. He clearly wanted me to know that he and Grey knew each other, and they weren’tjustbusiness associates. They had obviously been something more. Maybe they still were. My stomach churned sickly at the thought.

Grey and I had never talked about exclusivity. Why would we? We weren’t even really dating.Business partners-with-benefits. It looked like Grey had made similar arrangements before, and he would probably make them again long after we both went back to our own lives.

I suddenly wished I’d stayed back at the hotel. Back where I belonged. This part of Grey’s life, I didn’t fit in.

Grey’s gaze narrowed on Jack, and his friendly smile fell away. I remembered that uncharacteristically cold look from when he first came back into my life all those weeks ago. “Like I said, I’m busy. I can have Finn look at the building, but I’m not available.”

Jack frowned and stepped back. Just seeing a little space between them eased some of the tension gripping me. “Well, can’t say I’m not sorry to hear that.” He glanced at me dismissively before turning his full attention back to Grey. “If anything changes and your schedule opens up, give me a call,” he stated, with the last part in a lower voice. “Nice meeting you,Doug,” he said dismissively.

I didn’t bother to correct him. “Yeah, you too.”Asshole.

Once the man left, Grey's attention returned to me immediately. “Sorry about that. He’s someone I—”

I shrugged. “It’s fine. We’ve both seen other people over the years.” Still, I hated to think that maybe he was still seeing Jack or someone else. “Are you guys still together?”

“We were nevertogether,”Grey said quickly.

“Just another business partners-with-benefits thing?” I asked, wishing my voice didn’t sound so sharp like a jealous boyfriend.

“Not even that much,” Grey said firmly. “We’d hooked up a few times, but I haven’t seen him in months. Long before you and me.”

I shrugged again, trying not to sound as hurt as I felt. “We’re not exclusive. You don’t owe me any explanations.”

Grey hesitated, as if he was uncertain how to respond. “There hasn’t been anybody else for me since I came back to The Square. I wouldn’t do that,seesomeone else while I was with you. I don’t want to see anyone else while I’m with you. Haveyoubeen seeing anyone else?”

I snorted before I could stop myself.Yeah right.“There’s been no one but you.”

Though why it mattered when all this would be coming to an end soon, I didn’t know. After the opening, he’d be coming back to all this, and I would stay right where I’d always been. Still, the weight pressing on my chest lifted a little, and I could breathe again.

Grey smiled brightly, but it didn’t quite meet his eyes, and I wondered if he was thinking the same thing. “Well, I guess it’s good we cleared that up.”

I nodded. “I guess so.”

The server returned to our table and set our plates in front of us. The savory scent of steak teased my senses, but my stomach didn't respond. I’m sure it would have tasted delicious, but I barely noticed. I couldn’t stop thinking about Jack and Grey andhow much someone like Jack would have fit effortlessly into Grey’s world and far better than I ever could.

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